My calf ‘injury’ (really just horribly knotted and painful
fascia) in mid-August set me back big time – for over two months I could run
only two or three times a week, maybe
up to five miles at a time, and even that was pushing it some weeks. I lost my base, lost some strength, and just
felt so defeated. After continued body
work and getting cupped (which I recommend highly to anyone going through any
muscle tension or knotted fascia), I was able to start building my base back up
in mid-October and early November.
What I horrendously humbling experience. All my friends were in full marathon shape
and very strong, and I felt like this marshmallow. Steve and Bobby both had some good
conversations with me when I was feeling down, and they kinda lit a fire under
my ass (as my dad says). So, I humbly
kinda took a step back, had to reflect and look inward, swallow my pride a bit,
and start from the ground up building my base back up.
I’ve had some highs and lows over the last three months, but
I’m feeling so great now. I’ve
incorporated regular body work and cupping into my training, which is a
tremendous help – can’t believe I wasn’t doing it before. I went to a nutritionist regarding my
seme-recent move to veganism, as well and helping my performance. Carly has turned my world around and I feel a
huge difference in my running just from the way she has me eating. I’ve been slowly building my mileage back up,
and ran 14 miles Saturday – the furthest I’ve ran since August before my calf
threw a fit. I knew we were going to
have some hills – I’ve been working to get my hill strength back up as well,
which is an uphill battle (ha – see what I did there?). And I had a great run – best I’ve had in a
long time, possibly the best. I felt strong on the hills, and had the
company of good friends while rolling over them.
After they dropped me off (they were running 20 and I split
off to run my 14), I immediately met Chuck from another group with Rogue. We got stuck at a stop light together, said ‘hi’,
made mention of the gorgeous sherbert sunrise, and then I wished him a good run
as he passed me. We got stuck at the
next stoplight together, started up talking again, continued to talk after the
light went green, and I thought to myself, ‘Self, you can run alongside this
guy. You can do it.’ And I did.
I broke out of my comfort zone, and challenged myself. And I kept up with him, talked to him, and
felt comfortable and strong. I really
surprised myself, and felt good. I even
finished with four records on my Garmin – fastest mile, fastest 5k, fastest
10k, and fasted half marathon. If I hadn’t
met Chuck, I think I would’ve stayed in my safe zone and continued on. And not only did he challenge me, but I met a
new friend at Rogue. He told me part of
his story, and offered some great running advice and training tips that work
for him.
Rogue had a lot of people racing yesterday in the 3M Half
Marathon, the Big Bend 50k and 25k, and the Houston Marathon. I was on pins and needles waiting to hear how
everyone did, and was really emotional for some reason, way more than what I would
expect to be normal. I had two friends
qualify for Boston (the holy grail for a lot of runners), and several more that
PR’d. I had some friends run a 50k
yesterday – that’s over 30 miles!! Holy
cow!
I heard about some 3M PRs first. I was sending my two friends trying to BQ
good juju – I was glued to my Facebook newsfeed to get updates. Then I got word that they both qualified – I don’t
know why, but I kind of teared up a bit.
Another friend ran his first marathon yesterday and ran a 3:40 – that is
an amazing time for a first time marathoner!
Another friend was pacing her dad to meet his goal of a sub-2 hour half
and he got it! I was waiting to hear
about my other friends running the Big Bend 50k and they all finished, and
finished strong. I teared up yet again
when I saw their Facebook pictures and heard from Steve. It was just an amazing day for Rogue, and I was
inspired by everyone that ran yesterday.
Again, and fire was lit under my ass.
I reflected a lot yesterday on my running. I have come far from where I started last
March and then again a few months ago, but still have a lot of work to do to
eventually meet my ultimate goal of qualifying for and running the Boston
Marathon. But instead of focusing on
that goal that seems so far away, I’m going to celebrate my small victories, as
well as those of my friends. I’m going
to work on achieving smaller goals (stretch goals, as my coach calls them) –
this year I want to get a sub-2 half and a sub-4 full. Those goals seem a bit far right now, but I know
with hard work I can do them. As Steve
has told me (and his voice rings in my ears often), ‘You can do anything you
set your mind to.’ When I get
discouraged and have bad runs (as we all do), I’m going to think about how far I
have come instead of far I have yet to go.
I’m going to find inspiration in those around me, and there is an
abundance of it (as was proved this weekend).
I’m going to continue to challenge myself to break out of my comfort
zone. I’m going to trust my legs and
body – our bodies are capable of some amazing things when you think about
it. I can see and feel the slow and
steady progress, so I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing as well as
learn from others. As I’ve heard several
times before, ‘slow and steady wins the race’ – I really like that phrase. Be patient, and keep it slow and steady.
Even though the set back of my calf pissed me off, I’m glad
it happened – perhaps a blessing in disguise.
If it hadn’t had happened, I don’t think I would feel this fire within
me that I do, or at least not as strong (if that makes any sense). I’m hungrier now than I was before, and I’m
going to let that drive me to where I want to go. I am so grateful that I found Rogue – it has
truly changed my life. There is such a
strong feeling of family and community – it’s just fantastic. We all encourage each other. When someone is having a rough run, another
picks them up – no Rogue left behind! We
celebrate in each other’s victories.
Although I’m grateful I found Rogue, I’m even more grateful I found
Coach Bobby. When he tells you he’s
proud of you and loves you, he really
means it. He is the biggest cheerleader
for all of his runners, and is dedicated to each one of us.
At any rate, I was just feeling all warm and fuzzy inside yesterday
and wanted to share J
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